ATMOsphere Report 2010 on Natural Refrigerants available for free download

A growing number of organisations around the world is already working on introducing technically and financially viable natural refrigerant systems. ATMOsphere 2010 brought them together on the 27th and 28th of September to discuss HOW to build a roadmap to bring CO₂ as a replacement to HCFCs and HFCs even faster to the market. The results of these intensive exchanges of views, insightful presentations and lively workshop discussions have now been summarised into a 42 pages report highlighting the key messages from all presentations, surveys and workshop groups before and during ATMOsphere 2010.

Freely available as a download the report draws up a shortlist of barriers currently impeding the use of CO₂ in different world markets and applications. As an example, participants and other interested parties identified these barriers to a widespread use of CO₂ in industrial refrigeration equipment:

• Lack of knowledge by manufacturers, contractors, installers, consultants, servicing companies, policy makers, ozone officers and consultants
• Lack of information and training material.
• Higher capital cost for CO₂ systems and servicing equipment due mainly to lower sales volumes, as well as for the setting up of production of systems.

Solutions found by major stakeholders, industry leaders and policy maker during the workshop sessions include:

• Set up trial equipment in local training institutes and in-house training centres for hands - on training of technicians
• Provide government support for setting up new centres and extending existing training centres as well as support of companies willing to train their personnel
• Natural refrigerant literature and marketing information on the internet ( www.R744.com - www.hydrocarbons21.com - www.ammonia21.com )
• Provide financial incentives for natural refrigerants : subsidies, HFC taxes, deposit schemes, reduced import / sales taxes for natural refrigerant technology

Other enthusiastic messages were also portrayed during the event. One of wish was illustrated by Christoph Brouwers from Carrier Commercial Refrigeration answering the question of “Why to move to CO₂ as refrigerant?” in retail refrigeration. He says “carbon dioxide as a refrigerant has the most attractive minimal global warming potential, which leads to the best total equivalent warming impact (TEWI) performance compared to any other alternative available today.”

Participants from all around the world joined in the discussions bringing to the table their unique perspectives. In his welcome message to the ATMOsphere 2010 report Marc Chasserot, Chairman of ATMOsphere 2010, pointed out that “people wanted to network and share knowledge regarding carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons and ammonia. Participants talked as “We need” rather than “I need”. (…) I can assure you that we will not stop here. We will talk with partners around the world to ensure that these cutting-edge discussions continue to drive change both within industry and policy.”

Besides being available for download on www.r744.com and the event website www.atmosphere2010.com, print copies of the report will be handed out next to policy makers at the UN negotiations in Thailand (MOP 22) and Cancun (COP16) as well as to the industry experts at main HVAC&R events including Chillventa 2010.